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Tri-series, Aberdeen
Porterfield and O'Brien out for Ireland
Cricinfo staff
June 24, 2008
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Eoin Morgan is available to face Scotland and New Zealand in the ODIs
© Getty Images
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Ireland will be without William Porterfield and Niall O'Brien for their one-day internationals against Scotland and New Zealand, in Aberdeen next week, after they opted to stay with Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire respectively. However, Eoin Morgan has been made available by Middlesex.
Kyle McCallan will be captain for the ODIs, as well as for the Ireland A Twenty20 match against Bangladesh A, on June 27, and the 50-over match on June 29. Trent Johnston, the former captain, will return to Ireland colours for the Twenty20 clash at Eglinton. Kevin O'Brien, the allrounder, had already been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
O'Brien has been keeping and opening the batting during the Twenty20 Cup, while Porterfield, who fielded as a substitute for England against New Zealand at Bristol, has found an opportunity in the Gloucestershire top order after injury to Craig Spearman,
"It's definitely the hardest decision I've ever had to make, and I didn't think it would come so early in my time at Gloucester," said Porterfield. "I'm just embarking on my professional career, and trying to cement my place in the team.
"The injury to Craig Spearman has given me an opportunity to stake a claim for a permanent position, and I have to take it. If I don't, somebody else will. I'm in possession at the moment, and I've been assured of my place in the team for the four day game. I feel it's the right decision for me at this stage in my career."
Coach Phil Simmons admitted that losing two key players wasn't ideal, but still backs his squad to cover for their loss. "I understand his [Porterfield's] situation as he tries to establish himself in the county game. He's a professional, and that's his job. It's hard for us losing both Niall and William, but we have got good depth to the squad, and we are also boosted by the availability of Gary Wilson and Eoin Morgan."
ODI squad Kyle McCallan (capt), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusask, Phil Eaglestone, Thinus Fourie, Gary Kidd, Eoin Morgan, Andrew Poynter, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White, Gary Wilson (wk)
T20 squad Kyle McCallan (capt), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Phil Eaglestone, Thinus Fourie, James Hall, Trent Johnston, Gary Kidd, Fintan McAllister, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White
Bangladesh A 50-over squad Kyle McCallan (capt), Andrew Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Phil Eaglestone, Thinus Fourie, James Hall, Gary Kidd, Andrew Poynter, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White, Gary Wilson
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